Staff photo by Fritz Busch Amanda Dolly of Sleepy Eye, right, leads “Rebel,” her yellow lab at the DockDogs event at the Brown County Fair Friday. Several years ago, Dolly and her dog won a national DockDogs title in Knoxville, Tn.

NEW ULM — Amanda Dolly was all smiles at the Brown County Fair DockDogs event Friday.

Called the fastest-growing sport on four legs, the event drew a variety of contestants including two Sleepy Eye families.

Amanda Dolly of Sleepy Eye cheered on her yellow lab “Rebel” in the event. Several years ago, she took her other dog “Knox,” a shepherd lab, to the national DockDog finals in Knoxville, Tn.

Dolly said her dog “Knox” won an Iron Dog title, excelling in big air, extreme vertical and speed retrieve events.

“I got interested in DockDogs in 2014,” Dolly said. “My husband had a chocolate lab we took to DockDogs events in Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

“It’s a good, family fun event,” she added. “I like the camaraderie with people. It’s just a good way to spend weekend time with family and friends and make new friends.”

Dolly said she has trained her dog at Sleepy Eye Lake and at an indoor pool in Mankato.

Open DockDogs competition allows anyone with a dog and toy to compete and have a chance at national recognition.

In diving dog events, dogs race down a platform and leap into a swimming pool, trying to jump the farthest distance. Dogs that enjoy the water including retrieving breeds often do well in DockDogs.

Dock dogs training equipment includes a dog that loves the water and has strong swimming skills, a carpeted or no-slip 40-foot runaway free of obstructions or trip hazards, a pool, pond or late with at least three feet, six inches of water and no more than two to three feet below the dock to ensure a safe landing. Toys or bumpers are thrown out ahead of a dog to guide the leap.

DockDogs at the fair continue with onsite registration and practice at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and starting at 10 a.m. Sunday. Events will continue late into the afternoon of both days.